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cristianatbrtackler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
tonythep's review against another edition
4.0
To be honest, I wasn't particularly looking forward to reading a collection of stories about the Iraq war. With their realistic and sometimes brutal details, these stories by a former Marine captain and Iraq war veteran are not always easy to read. But ultimately they proved to be harder to stop reading. Klay gives voice to a variety of viewpoints through nuanced characters and prose that strikes a balance between bitter irony and real emotional depth.
kat31yn's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Islamophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and War
docjh's review against another edition
5.0
Stories organized around a few themes, but the points-of-view and specific subjects are diverse. Masterful and deserving of the 2014 National Book Award.
eldiente's review against another edition
5.0
This was not an easy book to listen to. I have little direct military experience (two uncles served in the Navy during the Korean War and a grandfather served in World War 1) but I have always thought it decent and appropriate to thanks military personnel in uniform with something like "thank you for your service". After this collection of stores, I am uncertain if this expression of gratitude is appreciated or expected. What do those returning from war want? How do they feel and how are they adjusting to home life? This book asked these types of questions and didn't pretend to give comprehensive or complete answers.
The final story used a phrase I found to be an indictment of my attitudes toward the recent war in Iraq -"we are all gun six". That expression will remind me that even though I haven't pulled the trigger, I am somewhat responsible for supporting those political leaders who made decisions leading to war. All citizens bear some responsibility and duty for assuring that war is justified. That is a high standard.
The final story used a phrase I found to be an indictment of my attitudes toward the recent war in Iraq -"we are all gun six". That expression will remind me that even though I haven't pulled the trigger, I am somewhat responsible for supporting those political leaders who made decisions leading to war. All citizens bear some responsibility and duty for assuring that war is justified. That is a high standard.
mary412's review against another edition
2.0
Did not finish this volume of short stories. I have read other books about the soldier's life that spoke to me, but this one - not so much.
rangerpanties's review against another edition
5.0
This was powerful. I am still recovering from its words. It has brought up alot of memories of many different emotions. Its overwhelming. All the people who sent us to war should read it. And dont do it again unless you are sure.
idrumgood's review against another edition
4.0
I have basically zero insight into the military life. This book did a good job of showing me a side of things I was unaware of.
kochella's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not gonna lie, I started and stopped this book three times before I got past the first story. Hell, the first three sentences:
"We shot dogs. Not by accident. We did it on purpose, and we called it Operation Scooby."
I would stop there and think, "Really? You have to do it this way, Klay? You have to shove it in my face like Hollywood, when I'm trying to understand?"
I left the book sitting on my bedside table. It was a library book, so it became due. I returned it, unread.
About a month later I checked it out again because I felt compelled. Like it was my duty as a citizen leading a typically plump, clueless, suburban life to get past my (let's be honest) petty discomfort and spend some time with this book and what it had to say.
I am so glad I did. What I couldn't get past in those first three sentences was precisely what so many of the short stories in this collection depicted so skillfully - the spiritual and emotional maelstrom that our Marines and soldiers were thrown into when they served in the moral void that was Iraq. These young Americans were thrashed by war, then sent home with physical and emotional wounds so gaping and incongruous with our own lives that most of us had - and still have - no idea how to acknowledge, much less grasp them.
Klay's writing is gritty, unflinching, and vivid. Reading some of these stories felt like my raw soul skidding over sandpaper. But I think that is the very least of what I am supposed to feel if I am to understand anything. Especially when so many veterans don't have the option of simply closing the book on their own experiences of the war.
"We shot dogs. Not by accident. We did it on purpose, and we called it Operation Scooby."
I would stop there and think, "Really? You have to do it this way, Klay? You have to shove it in my face like Hollywood, when I'm trying to understand?"
I left the book sitting on my bedside table. It was a library book, so it became due. I returned it, unread.
About a month later I checked it out again because I felt compelled. Like it was my duty as a citizen leading a typically plump, clueless, suburban life to get past my (let's be honest) petty discomfort and spend some time with this book and what it had to say.
I am so glad I did. What I couldn't get past in those first three sentences was precisely what so many of the short stories in this collection depicted so skillfully - the spiritual and emotional maelstrom that our Marines and soldiers were thrown into when they served in the moral void that was Iraq. These young Americans were thrashed by war, then sent home with physical and emotional wounds so gaping and incongruous with our own lives that most of us had - and still have - no idea how to acknowledge, much less grasp them.
Klay's writing is gritty, unflinching, and vivid. Reading some of these stories felt like my raw soul skidding over sandpaper. But I think that is the very least of what I am supposed to feel if I am to understand anything. Especially when so many veterans don't have the option of simply closing the book on their own experiences of the war.
mark_lm's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of well written angry vet stories. My favorite story "Money as a weapons system" reminded me of Catch-22 and was the only story that I saw my own life and civilian job in.